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There must be no regression on rights - Anderson

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said there must be no ambiguity or delay in turning the Brexit communique agreed between the British government and the EU into legally binding text.

Speaking during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Martina Anderson said:

"There’s been a lot said about trade deals with Britain post-Brexit but there has been very little said about equality and human rights, which are essential elements of democratic societies.

"The European Council's conclusions on the December communique between the British government and the EU refers to the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the rights of the people of the north of Ireland.

"Many of those rights are rooted in EU law and both the European Council and the European Parliament confirmed they would uphold those rights and the Good Friday Agreement and it is essential that this happens.

"Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will address this chamber tomorrow and if he is serious about his pledge to the people of the north that we will never again be left behind by an Irish government then he needs to ensure that there is no regression of the rights we currently enjoy.

"That means there must be no ambiguity or delay in turning the Brexit communique agreed between the British government and the EU into legally binding text.

As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Taoiseach must ensure that it is protected and that our rights are not jeopardised by Brexit.

"The best way to ensure this is to work to secure special status for the north within the EU."